Washington Latin PCS - Cooper Campus Upper School

At a Glance

Washington Latin PCS - Cooper Campus Upper School is a public charter high school located in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast DC, serving students in grades 9–10. As part of the Washington Latin network, the Cooper Campus represents the upper school component of a Tier One charter organization that draws students from all eight wards of the District. The school focuses on providing a classical liberal arts education grounded in developing strong intellectual habits and character formation.

This campus specifically serves the first two years of high school within Washington Latin's overall structure. Families throughout DC can access this school through the citywide charter lottery system, making it part of the public school options available to residents regardless of their home address or ward.

What Parents Should Know

As a public charter school, Washington Latin PCS - Cooper Campus Upper School admits students through the My School DC lottery system, the unified enrollment platform used by DC families to apply to participating charter and DCPS schools. Families interested in enrollment should be aware of the annual lottery timeline and application windows that typically open in the fall for the following school year.

The grade 9–10 configuration means this campus focuses exclusively on the transition into high school and the first two years of secondary education. Parents should understand how Washington Latin structures its progression through the upper grades and what happens after grade 10, as this information will be important for planning their student's complete high school journey.

The Cooper Campus location in Brookland, in Ward 5, places the school in a neighborhood accessible by Metro via the Brookland-CUA station on the Red Line. The Harewood Street NE address sits in a residential area northeast of the main Brookland commercial corridor, which may influence transportation planning for families coming from across the city.

Washington Latin emphasizes its commitment to serving a diverse student body representing all wards of DC. The classical education approach mentioned in the school's mission suggests a curriculum grounded in traditional liberal arts disciplines, which may differ from the approach families encounter at other DC high schools.

Programs and Approach

Washington Latin PCS operates as a public charter school, meaning it's tuition-free and open to all DC residents through the My School DC common lottery. Charter schools in DC function independently from DC Public Schools but are still publicly funded and must meet accountability standards set by the DC Public Charter School Board.

The school's mission centers on classical liberal arts education, an approach that typically emphasizes foundational texts, critical thinking, and the development of what the school calls "good habits of mind and character." This educational philosophy aims to prepare students as lifelong learners who can engage thoughtfully with diverse communities and contribute meaningfully to civic life.

As part of a Tier One charter network, Washington Latin has demonstrated strong performance according to the metrics used by DC's charter school oversight system. The school network's reputation for academic results and teaching quality, as stated in its mission, reflects its standing within DC's charter sector.

The emphasis on community and character development alongside academics suggests a school culture that values more than test scores alone. The explicit goal of helping students "thrive within a diverse community" indicates attention to social-emotional development and cross-cultural competency as part of the educational program.

Visiting and Contact

Washington Latin PCS - Cooper Campus Upper School is located at 4301 Harewood Street NE in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast DC. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling tours, or accessing current enrollment information should visit the school's website at http://latinpcs.org/cooper-families/ or call 202-697-4430.